John Floyd Goodman | |
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John F. Goodman as a LtGen.
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Nickname(s) | Hustler |
Born |
Sacramento, California |
November 5, 1945
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1967 - 2008 |
Rank | Lieutenant General |
Commands held |
VMFA-531 MAG-41 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Marine Forces Korea Marine Forces Pacific |
Battles/wars |
Vietnam Gulf War |
Awards |
Navy Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (2) Soldier's Medal Bronze Star w/ "V" Device Purple Heart |
Lieutenant General John Floyd Goodman (born November 5, 1945) is a retired United States Marine Corps general.
John Goodman was born and raised in Sacramento, California. He played football, basketball, and baseball while attending Encina High School. As the varsity quarterback, he earned All Conference, All City, All Sacramento County, and All Superior California honors his Senior year. Goodman graduated in 1963. Goodman was also selected to the Sacramento All City and All County baseball teams. He then attended Arizona State University. Goodman was the Sun Devil starting quarterback in 1965 and 1966 leading the team in total offense both years. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the university.
Goodman began his military service in 1967 with the United States Army. His first combat tour was in the Republic of Vietnam as a member of a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol team. He earned a Bronze Star with "V" Device, the Soldier's Medal, and the Purple Heart while in Vietnam. He transferred to the inactive Army Reserve in 1969.
Goodman played professional football for the New Orleans Saints very briefly prior to entering the United States Marine Corps in 1971.
Following his commissioning in December 1971, Goodman became a Naval Aviator in May 1973 at Naval Air Station Meridian, and was assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, where he completed flight training in the A-4 Skyhawk. In November 1973 he was assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 223. He later served as a Forward Air Controller with 3rd Battalion 6th Marines at Camp Lejuene. He graduated from the Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructor School, the United States Air Force Weapons School, and United States Navy Fighter Weapons School (also known as TOPGUN). In 1979, he transferred to MAWTS-1 as an instructor and the A-4 Department Head. After graduating with honors from Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Goodman reported to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, and he served as the Operations Officer for VMA-214; and later as the Director of Safety, Standardization, and Tactics for Marine Aircraft Group 13.